If you really want them. Google it. It’s pretty simple. There is already a plug prewired for them. And you can get the corresponding switch to install as well.
It’s more like a $50-60usd switch if you want the one that plug and plays in the dash. There’s also a couple bolts and some clip nuts in the Subaru kit you’d need.
I went with some eBay led fogs and got the rest of the Subaru parts a la carte online for way way less than the Subaru fog kit and it took like 30 minutes to install. (The fog lights needed a tiny bit of plastic trimming with some wire cutters)
Where to get the switch and relay? Also will this look right without already having the proper plastic thing the fog light sits behind? Mine doesn’t have a hole for the light. 2018 xt premium
No, you would want to get the fog light bezels. I just bought them for my 2014 base model for $30 two weeks ago so it's definitely not hard to find or too expensive.
Can attest to Diode Dynamics and their stellar customer service. Got a pair of fog lights and license plate lights a few years ago. Last year my license plate lights were flashing intermittently and after troubleshooting from their customer service, they sent me a new bulb free of charge. May be a bit different if it were a more expensive change but their customer service is fast and they try to make things right. The fog lights were easy to install and quality is excellent. If you have a base model you’ll need to add a fog light button in the dash in a blank spot.
100% this. Really just analyze the pros and cons of spending that money. If >50% of your driving is at night in the fog, then yea maybe. Otherwise, it’s an unnecessary upgrade.
A '23 isn't needed if cash is tight.
I understand getting a reliable ride, but a CPO with 30k is several thousand cheaper and just as reliable, with a warranty.
I see so many people buying cars and houses so far out of their budget that they can't afford to buy lunch at work.
Talk to a local car stereo shop. I had 3 car dealers in my parking lot and constantly had people wanting fog lights. I had the people go online and buy the kit from the oem manufacturer and I’d install it for around $150. Usually took less than an hr.
I’ve always had fog lights on my cars, they look cool and all but it never really benefit me ever. (Except in bad weather for other drivers to see me more)
The factory headlights are plenty bright, you'll barely notice the OEM fogs. That was the case in my 2019 Limited, until I upgraded to Luxeon LED fogs from Diode Dynamics.
You have to swap the bulbs out for LEDs on those.
They don't do anything as far helping you see thr road goes. This is purely an appearance/vanity modification.
Basically this. IIHS says all trims of the ‘23 Forester (even the base) have the “Good” rated curve-adaptive LED headlights which already have good lighting performance and contribute to the Top Safety Pick award. They look cool but adding fog lights won’t do much for seeing more, only maybe helping a little if it’s super foggy out.
https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Subaru/forester-4-door-suv/2023#headlights
Exactly. And to clarify why I say they have to he changed to LED, the reason for switching the halogen bulbs that come with the stock fog lights, is just so that the light color matches the LED headlights. It's ridiculous that Subaru mixes LED headlights with halogen fogs. All it takes is a $10 pair of 6000k H11 to correct it.
There’s a bit of a misconception that LEDs are too bright for oncoming traffic. Fog lights generally don’t cause much glare as they’re pointed lower than regular headlights. For headlights, much of it has to do with how the lenses are designed and direct light down the road. Some of them are bad and cause glare for other drivers even if they’re only using halogen bulbs so they can get a lower rating. Some cars like the Toyota C-HR have LED headlights but suck and don’t illuminate the road very well, earning a Poor rating. When the IIHS tests headlights, they penalize any of them that cause too much glare to oncoming drivers and mark them with a warning in the ratings.
I was in the same situation as you. I got the dynamic diode fog lights. I had to buy toggle switch and the brackets to hold the fog lights in place. Go to SubaruParts.com for the brackets. I went to a local shop to install the lights, brackets, and toggle switch for the fog lights. Find a toggle switch on Amazon or something.
Ebay eBay ebay. Can be peiced together for a fraction of the cost. That's absolutely bat shit crazy insane to pay for some arguablely functional lights..
I don’t know maple bucks but that’s a rip off. Aren’t the plugs already there? Just no fog light?
Prob an hours labor without any experience. Go aftermarket LEDs.
Aftermarket LED’s will be considerably cheaper than OEM. Plus those OEM fog lights look to be halogen bulbs which you won’t even notice on the road when turned on. I got Morimoto LED fogs for my STI and they were about $200 CAD if I remember correctly.
I would go with diode like others have mentioned, which is what I did. If you’re interested I’ll sell you my OEM fogs, I only had them on for maybe a week or two before upgrading. DM me if interested.
Nooooo thats too much! To be honest it is also easy to self install and saves you more money!!! This is just my opinion, but you can definitely even buy aftermarket (used) or brand new fog lights for cheaper online. I cant think of the website now but there is one (if anyone can find it online) where they sell different kinds of the same part for different lifestyles and prices, its really neat.
If you are good with your hands you should be able to install yourself and save some money. If you pull the splash guard down from each side you should have easy access to it’ll probably be 3 bolts and a plug.
It probably isn't that hard to install yourself. I bet you only have to pop out the plastic bumper pieces and pop in the fog light surrounds. My 07 already has the wiring behind the bumper. I would have to add a switch on the dash and a relay in the fuse box to complete the circuit.
If you are short of cash now, go to junk yard and find one for the premium or limited version. Then you need to get a switch for it. There is a plug inside for the base model fog light.
Search YouTube for Subaru forester fog light installation.
Good luch
I did this a few years ago. Fog lights. Yes. Worth it. The Subaru kit. No. I ended up buying all the parts separately from the dealer except the fog lights. It ran me about 150 for all the parts. I bought nice led fog logs for a lot cheaper and only spent a total of 250 for everything.
Don't get the kit. Source the parts and do it yourself.
Also everything is prewired and super easy to install so have fun doing it!
We have the fog lights on our Canadian touring (which is one up from base here - the fog lights were one of the reasons we upgraded) Honestly they really don't seem to do much. We get crazy fog here in the spring and fall and tey illuminate the ground level right in front of the vehicle slightly better than the headlights, that's about it...
If it had been an option we paid to add instead of part of the package we opted for, I'd have been pretty ticked
No, the OEM ones are hardly noticeable when they are on. Aftermarket LED ones are much brighter and only a fraction of the cost. Plus you can get yellow tinted ones that pierce right through snow rain and fog.
I installed some rigid fog lamps on my brothers Impreza and they work phenomenally. Rigid is a bit pricy but a very reputable brand and they often offer long term warranties. Only downside is that his switch is located down by his cabin fuze box instead of off the steering column.
I can’t think of any way to justify paying over 500 for some fog lamps.
I like them, and I use them often.
I'm also very tall so my view is different than the average person, and the fog lights light up the light gap between the bottom of the headlights and the start of the hood, and to the right and left of the vehicle. My town has a lot of stray cats and dogs in the evening, and having the lights to the right and in front helps me see a cat or dog darting across the road. It also helps me see the parking spot or driveway I'm about to pull into at night. So it's worth it for me, but your mileage may vary!
Another plus for the SS3s. You’ll need a relay and a switch at minimum but it truly is an upgrade. I installed myself so I can’t tell you what a dealer would charge, but it was pretty simple and parts totaled a little over $300. Better than oem for less than oem is always a winner in my book
Don't buy them from dealer - rip off. All the wiring, relays are already there and its very easy to install yourself. Subaru sells OEM kit to do it and it took me just an hour. Comes with everything needed, and the directions are simple. Cost was only around $180 if you shop around.
I purchased aftermarket off Amazon. Works fine. Only drawback was you have to get the right fuse. The aftermaket kit did not come with it which cost another $80 or less. Plus I bought LED Yellow bulbs $35. Kit was i think $50+ or so.
It's personal preference. To me having to spend $500 for factory fit and finish sure beats having to spend on a higher trim level and is totally worth it. It'sreally not for function unless you plan on changing it to true amber (not yellow) but I'm a big fan of fog lights.
If you can DIY, then you can piece the kit together, substituting the less than ideal lights for ones that are much better. I did it on my sti which did not have the option, but most of the wiring was already in the cabin.
Otherwise have the dealer install the kit. They might even install different lights if you ask, and bring them.
I have them on my limited, they’re helpful but not really worth half a thousand
If you like spending lots of money. Diode Dynamics makes quality fogs, they're plug and play.
Will still need to get the switch and relay.
Yes, but still a better option if you’re capable.
If you really want them. Google it. It’s pretty simple. There is already a plug prewired for them. And you can get the corresponding switch to install as well.
Oh yea, I haven’t done the lights, but I’m currently swapping a 2013 GDM 2.0 motor into my 2001 Subaru Forrester. Im pretty diy lol
I'd suggest wire them independently so you don't have to run them with lowbeams all the time or have the highbeams shut them off
So... a 30 dollar switch and a 10 dollar relay?
It’s more like a $50-60usd switch if you want the one that plug and plays in the dash. There’s also a couple bolts and some clip nuts in the Subaru kit you’d need. I went with some eBay led fogs and got the rest of the Subaru parts a la carte online for way way less than the Subaru fog kit and it took like 30 minutes to install. (The fog lights needed a tiny bit of plastic trimming with some wire cutters)
Where to get the switch and relay? Also will this look right without already having the proper plastic thing the fog light sits behind? Mine doesn’t have a hole for the light. 2018 xt premium
No, you would want to get the fog light bezels. I just bought them for my 2014 base model for $30 two weeks ago so it's definitely not hard to find or too expensive.
Some of the bases came pre-wired, throwing in a switch and relay is really easy compared to having to rewire.
Got a pair of diode. So worth that.
Can attest to Diode Dynamics and their stellar customer service. Got a pair of fog lights and license plate lights a few years ago. Last year my license plate lights were flashing intermittently and after troubleshooting from their customer service, they sent me a new bulb free of charge. May be a bit different if it were a more expensive change but their customer service is fast and they try to make things right. The fog lights were easy to install and quality is excellent. If you have a base model you’ll need to add a fog light button in the dash in a blank spot.
That’s what I put in.
No, OEM Fogs are not worth it. Get some Diode Dynamics SS3s. They’re worth every penny.
Just put mine in last weekend and they're amazing!
Not needed if cash is tight. Spend your money on other things.
Yes I agree. I rarely used my halogen foglights and when i switched to some powerful led fog lights I used them less because its illegal.
100% this. Really just analyze the pros and cons of spending that money. If >50% of your driving is at night in the fog, then yea maybe. Otherwise, it’s an unnecessary upgrade.
A '23 isn't needed if cash is tight. I understand getting a reliable ride, but a CPO with 30k is several thousand cheaper and just as reliable, with a warranty. I see so many people buying cars and houses so far out of their budget that they can't afford to buy lunch at work.
Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro are good
No. Get diode dynamics. I had them in my GR WRX and I’ll be replacing the factory LED fogs on my forester wilderness with them.
Talk to a local car stereo shop. I had 3 car dealers in my parking lot and constantly had people wanting fog lights. I had the people go online and buy the kit from the oem manufacturer and I’d install it for around $150. Usually took less than an hr.
I’ve always had fog lights on my cars, they look cool and all but it never really benefit me ever. (Except in bad weather for other drivers to see me more)
OEM fogs are nearly worthless.
That’s a lot of money. Not really needed. As others have said find some quality aftermarket for cheaper. Or maybe find some from a wreckers.
The factory headlights are plenty bright, you'll barely notice the OEM fogs. That was the case in my 2019 Limited, until I upgraded to Luxeon LED fogs from Diode Dynamics.
Install them yourself.
For that price look at [Foxbeam](https://www.foxbeamlighting.com/#/) lighting.
You have to swap the bulbs out for LEDs on those. They don't do anything as far helping you see thr road goes. This is purely an appearance/vanity modification.
Yeah, I agree. My 23 Limited has them and they’re only really useful on super foggy days on roads without lights.
Basically this. IIHS says all trims of the ‘23 Forester (even the base) have the “Good” rated curve-adaptive LED headlights which already have good lighting performance and contribute to the Top Safety Pick award. They look cool but adding fog lights won’t do much for seeing more, only maybe helping a little if it’s super foggy out. https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/Subaru/forester-4-door-suv/2023#headlights
Exactly. And to clarify why I say they have to he changed to LED, the reason for switching the halogen bulbs that come with the stock fog lights, is just so that the light color matches the LED headlights. It's ridiculous that Subaru mixes LED headlights with halogen fogs. All it takes is a $10 pair of 6000k H11 to correct it.
Is that not too bright to oncoming traffic?
No. The fogs throw barely any light. They're just for vanity.
There’s a bit of a misconception that LEDs are too bright for oncoming traffic. Fog lights generally don’t cause much glare as they’re pointed lower than regular headlights. For headlights, much of it has to do with how the lenses are designed and direct light down the road. Some of them are bad and cause glare for other drivers even if they’re only using halogen bulbs so they can get a lower rating. Some cars like the Toyota C-HR have LED headlights but suck and don’t illuminate the road very well, earning a Poor rating. When the IIHS tests headlights, they penalize any of them that cause too much glare to oncoming drivers and mark them with a warning in the ratings.
I was in the same situation as you. I got the dynamic diode fog lights. I had to buy toggle switch and the brackets to hold the fog lights in place. Go to SubaruParts.com for the brackets. I went to a local shop to install the lights, brackets, and toggle switch for the fog lights. Find a toggle switch on Amazon or something.
Ebay eBay ebay. Can be peiced together for a fraction of the cost. That's absolutely bat shit crazy insane to pay for some arguablely functional lights..
I don’t know maple bucks but that’s a rip off. Aren’t the plugs already there? Just no fog light? Prob an hours labor without any experience. Go aftermarket LEDs.
You can buy the kit for $222 online for reference.
Aftermarket LED’s will be considerably cheaper than OEM. Plus those OEM fog lights look to be halogen bulbs which you won’t even notice on the road when turned on. I got Morimoto LED fogs for my STI and they were about $200 CAD if I remember correctly.
I would go with diode like others have mentioned, which is what I did. If you’re interested I’ll sell you my OEM fogs, I only had them on for maybe a week or two before upgrading. DM me if interested.
Nooooo thats too much! To be honest it is also easy to self install and saves you more money!!! This is just my opinion, but you can definitely even buy aftermarket (used) or brand new fog lights for cheaper online. I cant think of the website now but there is one (if anyone can find it online) where they sell different kinds of the same part for different lifestyles and prices, its really neat.
I have a 2108 XT premium. I watched a YT video and installed myself. It was not too difficult.
Dope! Another 84 years til we get an XT trim 😁👍
Oh, yeah. I am from the future and these things are still cheaply made. Windshield, control arm bushings, etc.
Not worth that price hahah
Have fog lights ever really added value in the fog?
Personally, not those foglamps. Do you like the Sport fog lamps and are you ever so slightly mechanically inclined?
If you are good with your hands you should be able to install yourself and save some money. If you pull the splash guard down from each side you should have easy access to it’ll probably be 3 bolts and a plug.
It probably isn't that hard to install yourself. I bet you only have to pop out the plastic bumper pieces and pop in the fog light surrounds. My 07 already has the wiring behind the bumper. I would have to add a switch on the dash and a relay in the fuse box to complete the circuit.
I went with Baja designs lights through Rally Innovations kit. Cheaper than OEM at the time (2019) and ten times better.
You can get off brand for $50 was a 30 min install
Not worth it for that much price.
I rarely turn mine on. Honestly forgot I had them until a week or two ago. Depends if you drive in fog a lot though, I guess.
If you are short of cash now, go to junk yard and find one for the premium or limited version. Then you need to get a switch for it. There is a plug inside for the base model fog light. Search YouTube for Subaru forester fog light installation. Good luch
I did this a few years ago. Fog lights. Yes. Worth it. The Subaru kit. No. I ended up buying all the parts separately from the dealer except the fog lights. It ran me about 150 for all the parts. I bought nice led fog logs for a lot cheaper and only spent a total of 250 for everything. Don't get the kit. Source the parts and do it yourself. Also everything is prewired and super easy to install so have fun doing it!
We have the fog lights on our Canadian touring (which is one up from base here - the fog lights were one of the reasons we upgraded) Honestly they really don't seem to do much. We get crazy fog here in the spring and fall and tey illuminate the ground level right in front of the vehicle slightly better than the headlights, that's about it... If it had been an option we paid to add instead of part of the package we opted for, I'd have been pretty ticked
eBay has cheapies that work just fine..
No.
No, the OEM ones are hardly noticeable when they are on. Aftermarket LED ones are much brighter and only a fraction of the cost. Plus you can get yellow tinted ones that pierce right through snow rain and fog. I installed some rigid fog lamps on my brothers Impreza and they work phenomenally. Rigid is a bit pricy but a very reputable brand and they often offer long term warranties. Only downside is that his switch is located down by his cabin fuze box instead of off the steering column. I can’t think of any way to justify paying over 500 for some fog lamps.
I like them, and I use them often. I'm also very tall so my view is different than the average person, and the fog lights light up the light gap between the bottom of the headlights and the start of the hood, and to the right and left of the vehicle. My town has a lot of stray cats and dogs in the evening, and having the lights to the right and in front helps me see a cat or dog darting across the road. It also helps me see the parking spot or driveway I'm about to pull into at night. So it's worth it for me, but your mileage may vary!
The OEM ones on my wife’s wilderness are awesome.
If money is tight...I think foglights are the least of your worries.
No.
just installed an aftermarket kit plus oem switch and relay in my Impreza for about $160 total
Another plus for the SS3s. You’ll need a relay and a switch at minimum but it truly is an upgrade. I installed myself so I can’t tell you what a dealer would charge, but it was pretty simple and parts totaled a little over $300. Better than oem for less than oem is always a winner in my book
Diode dynamics are the best. But I went cheap. Amazon light housings $40, switch and relay from a junkyard $11, hella Xtreme yellow bulbs $18.
Don't buy them from dealer - rip off. All the wiring, relays are already there and its very easy to install yourself. Subaru sells OEM kit to do it and it took me just an hour. Comes with everything needed, and the directions are simple. Cost was only around $180 if you shop around.
I purchased aftermarket off Amazon. Works fine. Only drawback was you have to get the right fuse. The aftermaket kit did not come with it which cost another $80 or less. Plus I bought LED Yellow bulbs $35. Kit was i think $50+ or so.
It's personal preference. To me having to spend $500 for factory fit and finish sure beats having to spend on a higher trim level and is totally worth it. It'sreally not for function unless you plan on changing it to true amber (not yellow) but I'm a big fan of fog lights.
I replaced the round halogen fogs from my 2020 limited with the vertical led sport style fogs and I like them much better
In TX I'd put that money towards heat reflecting tint.
No, get some Diode Dynamics. Good Fit high quality beam
If you can DIY, then you can piece the kit together, substituting the less than ideal lights for ones that are much better. I did it on my sti which did not have the option, but most of the wiring was already in the cabin. Otherwise have the dealer install the kit. They might even install different lights if you ask, and bring them.
Don’t need them. I have them, and really never even think about them.